Explore North Dakota

Welcome to North Dakota

North Dakota is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, on the Canadian border halfway between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. North Dakota is the 19th largest state by area in the U.S. and the third least populous, with just over 641,481 residents in 2008. The most populous city is Fargo. Located in south-central North Dakota along the banks of the Missouri River is Bismarck, the state capital. The primary public universities are located in Fargo and Grand Forks and the United States Air Force operates bases at both Minot and Grand Forks.

North Dakota is in the Upper Midwest and the Great Plains regions of the U.S., and is sometimes referred to as being the "High Plains". The Missouri River flows through the western part of the state and forms Lake Sakakawea behind the Garrison Dam. The western half of the state is hilly and contains lignite coal and oil, while the Red River forms the Red River Valley in the east. Agriculture has dominated the economy and culture of North Dakota. North Dakota endures some of the most extreme temperature variations on the planet, with cold winters and hot summers.

The North Dakota State Fair is held in Minot. Medora is located in the North Dakota Badlands and hosts the Medora Musical every summer and is also the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.